Segments

This week we’ll take a look at how the Political Religious Right is perverting religious liberty at both the state and federal levels. Attorney General Jeff Sessions just made it easier for individuals and organizations to discriminate against LGBT individuals under the guise of “religious freedom.” President Trump, for his part, rolled back access to healthcare for women and girls, allowing even non-religious organizations to claim an exemption.

First, however, we’ll pause to remember the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas this past week. To find out about the role faith communities are playing in demanding action on gun violence, host Rev. Welton Gaddy will speak with the Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, Episcopal bishop of Washington D.C., who hosted a gathering of faith leaders representing a diverse array of traditions outside Washington National Cathedral this past Tuesday. The leaders, including Interfaith Alliance President Rabbi Jack Moline, gathered as the Cathedral tolled its bell once for each life lost in the tragedy.

The most extreme anti-LGBT legislation yet went into effect last week in Mississippi. The Colorado gay wedding cake case is now in the hands of the United States Supreme Court, and Alabama Republicans nominated a man to replace Jeff Sessions who displayed the Ten Commandments on government property twice, and was removed each time. Rabbi Jay Michaelson, an author, activist and attorney, will join Welton this week to provide an overview of the on-going attempts by some to use the First Amendment as a license to discriminate.

Speaking of the notorious Roy Moore and his recent victory in the Alabama Republican primary for U.S. Senate, Welton will be joined by Frederick Clarkson, senior fellow at Political Research Associates, who has followed Moore’s career for years and will remind us why his ascent is a really bad thing for our country.